Rotary fluid treatment apparatus

ABSTRACT

A generally horizontal open carrier within generally upright fluid passage means, complementary outer and inner tracks respectively carried by the fluid passage means and carrier, and trolley means interposed between the tracks to mount the carrier for rotation in the passage means.

[ 51 Dec. 11, 1973 United States Patent McCoy ROTARY FLUID TREATMENT APPARATUS [76] Inventor:

690,626 1/1902 Whitney...... 308/174 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Lyle E. McCoy, 533 N. Whitehall Rd., Norristown, Pa. 19401 Mar. 23, 1972 2 10/1925 Great 308/174 969,883 9/1964 Great Britain...................... 308/174 [22] Filed:

Primary Examine r-Albert W. Davis, Jr. Att0meyRobert K. Youtie [21] Appl. No.: 237,318

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1926 Ljungstrom....

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 10/1962 Brandt HG. "I

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PATENIEB samzurz 1 ROTARY FLUID TREATMENT APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In certain areas of fluid treatment apparatus, particularly the field of heat exchange by direct contact of heat exchanged fluids with an intermediate medium, such as in the type where a horizontally rotating carrier conveys a medium between fluid passageways (sometimes called a Ljundstrom exchanger), the apparatus and particularly the rotating carriers have become so large as to be prohibitive in cost, excessive in weight, and so highly strained as to be prone to malfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide a rotary fluid treatment apparatus of the general type discussed above, but which overcomes the aforementioned difficulties, being capable of extremely large size and capacity without requiring heavy, large or cumbersome structures, so as to effect substantial savings in costs and minimize repairs, while permitting of higher operating speeds, as desired.

While the device of the present invention has been primarily developed and employed for use as a heat exchanger, and will be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference to such function, it is understood that the novel apparatus described herein is capable of many varied fluid treatment uses, such as in filters, aerators, and the like.

, Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be'exemplifled in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIG. 1 thereof, fluid treatment apparatus of the present invention is there generally designated 10, and includes a generally upright conduit 11 having a lower conduit section 12 and an upper conduit section 13 spaced above the lower conduit section in generally vertical alignment therewith. The conduit means 1 l, composed of the conduit sections 12 and 13, is sub divided into plural generally vertical fluid passageways, as by a generally upright, longitudinally extending inner wall or partition.

More specifically, the lower conduit section 12 is subdivided by a longitudinally extending partition or wall 15 into a pair of longitudinally extending fluid passageways 16 and 17. Similarly, the upper conduit section 13 is subdivided by a generally upright, longitudinally extending internal partition '18 into a pair of sideby-side fluid passageways 19 and 20. The partitions or walls 15 and 18 may be in longitudinal alignment with each other, spaced endwise, so that the passages 16 and 19 are aligned with each other, as are the passages 17 and 20. Thus, the aligned passages 16, 19 may be considered as a passageway for one fluid, while the aligned passages 17, 20 may be considered as a passageway for another fluid, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Carried by the conduit means 11, and specifically by the upper end region of conduit section 12, may be an annular, or continuous circular outer track 25. The outer annular track 25 extends circumferentially about the combined fluid passageways 16, 19 and 17, 20. As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the outer annular track 25 is of angulate cross-sectional configuration, including a generally horizontally, radially inwardly extendingwall or flange 26, and a circular, upright wall or flange 27 upstanding from the outer edge of the flange 26.

The outer track 25 thus includes a pair of transversely extending generally horizontal and vertical walls 26 and 27, which, as will appear fully hereinafter, respectively present upwardly and inwardly facing bearing surfaces 28 and 29, for supporting engagement with wheeled trolley means.

An open generally cylindrical or wheel-like carrier is generally designated 30, and illustrated in position between the conduit sections 12 and 13, extending generally across both fluid passageways 16, 19 and 17, 20. The open carrier 30 is adapted to contain a fluid treatment medium, such as a quantity of metal having a relatively high surface area for heat transfer, or other suitable treatment medium.

As illustrated, the medium carrier or wheel 30 may include a generally cylindrical, open ended outer shell 31 disposed generally coaxially or longitudinally of and within the space between the conduit sections 12 and 13. The upper end of the cylindrical carrier outer wall 31 may be open, and provided with a circumferential flange, as at 32, if desired. The lower end of the cylindrical carrier 31 may have extending thereacross a perforated or reticulated medium supporting wall 33; and, strengthening spokes or rigidifying radial walls 34 may be fixed interiorly of the cylindrical carrier outer wall or shell 31, as seen in FIG. 2.

By this manner of construction, the carrier 30 is disposed within theconduit means 11, extending substantially thereacross, and may contain a heat exchange or other fluid treatment medium, being porous for permitting fluid flow through the filled carrier, such as particulate material.

Extending circumferentially about the exterior of and fixedly secured to the cylindrical shell 31 of the carrier 30, is an inner track generally designated 35. The inner track 35 is of an annular or circular, endless configuration, being disposed generally coaxially within and in complementary relation with respect to the outer track 25.

More specifically, the inner track 35 may be of a constant angulate cross-sectional configuration including a pair of transverse walls or flanges, including a generally vertical wall or flange 36 extending downwardly, and a generally horizontal flange or wall 37 extending outwardly from the upper edge of the vertical flange. Further, the track walls or flanges provide transverse bearing surfaces, the vertical flange 36 providing an outwardly facing generally vertical bearing surface 38, while the horizontal flange or wall provides adownwardly facing bearing surface 39. The inwardly and outwardly facing surfaces 29 and 38 of outer and inner tracks 25 and 35, respectively, are in facing spaced relation with respect to each other, see FIGS. 3 and 4, as are the respective upwardly facing and downwardly facing surfaces 28 and 39 of the outer and inner tracks.

Interposed between the facing spaced bearing surfaces of the outer and inner tracks 25 and 35 are trolley means, generally designated 40, see FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The trolley means 40, having wheeled running gear, serve to support the carrier 30 for generally coaxial rotation in a horizontal plane about its substantially vertical axis by rolling engagement of the trolley means with the bearing surfaces of the outer and inner tracks 25 and 35. By this means a journal bearing is eliminated, the required tolerances need not be very close, and the size and weight of materials may be considerably less than heretofore required, all to effect substantial savings in costs.

More specifically, the trolley means 40 may include a plurality of trolley assemblies 41, arranged in end-toend relation with respect to each other, see FIG. 2, to define an annular array interposed between the outer and inner tracks 25 and 35. A single unit 41 of the overall trolley assembly 40 is shown in exploded perspective in FIG. 5. It will be seen that a trolley assembly of the present invention may include an elongate frame part 42, say of angulate formation and including an intermediate portion 43 having acutout 44 and provided with a laterally outwardly extending bracket or mounting portion 45 having a through aperture 46. Extending from opposite ends of the intermediate portion 43 are a pair of end portions 47 and 48, each extending in angulate relation with respect to the intermediate portion, generally onto one side of the latter. Thus, the several frame portions 47, 43 and 48 are disposed in equal angulate relation with respect to the adjacent frame portion, so as to have an overall arcuate configuration for conforming location in the annular space between tracks 25 and 35. The end portions 47 and 48 are each provided with a generally central through aperture 49 and 50.

In addition to the frame part 44, there are provided a plurality of rolling members or wheels, respectively designated 51, 52 and 53. The wheels may be of common ball bearing type, sometimes called skate wheels. The wheel 51 is generally arranged horizontally and located over the mounting portion or bracket 45, being mounted thereon by a fastener or bolt 54 extending upwardly through the hole 46, and passing thence through a spacer 55, the wheel 51, and a complementary fastener element or nut 56. By this means, the wheel 51 is disposed horizontally and carried by the intermediate frame member portion 43 for rotation about the vertical axis of bolt 54. Also, it will be apparent that the wheel 51 extends laterally through the cutout 44 inwardly of the frame portion 43 and laterally outwardly beyond the mounting portion 45.

The wheel 52 may be of similar construction, and is mounted in vertical disposition for rotation about the horizontal axis of bolt 57 extending through hole 49, a spacer 58, wheel 52, and additional spacer 59, and a fastener element or nut 60. In this manner the wheel 52 is mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis, which will appear later as being generally radially of the carrier 30, the wheel extending vertically above and below the frame portion 47. The remaining wheel 53 is similarly mounted by a bolt 51 extending horizontally through hole 50, spacer 62, the wheel 53, a spacer 63 and a fastener element or nut 64. The wheel 53 is similarly disposed for rotation about a horizontal axis, also extending radially of the carrier 30 in the overall assembly.

As best seen in FIG. 2, a plurality of trolley units 41 are assembled in an endless array, as by interconnecting straps 70, so that the overall trolley assembly is not unduly rigid, and may flex sufficiently to insure proper supportive rolling engagement of all the wheels.

More particularly, the vertical wheels 52 and 53 of each trolley unit 41 are engageable on their lower and upper sides with the bearing surfaces 28 and 39 of respective outer and inner tracts 25 and 35. In this manner the very substantial weight of the carrier 30 is effectively supported and evenly distributed onto the several vertically disposed skate wheels. The radial axes of the vertically disposed skate wheels assure relatively free movement and easy driving of the carrier.

Horizontal or lateral restraint is effectively provided by the several generally horizontally disposed wheels 51, each of which engages on its radially inner and outer side with respective faces 38 and 29 of the inner andouter tract 35 and 25. Thus, effective concentricity of rotation is assured.

Any suitable drive means may be connected in driving relation with respect to the carrier 30, a motor 71 and chain 72 being shown for purposes of illustration and without limiting intent.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A direct contact heat exchanger comprising generally upright conduit means defining a pair of adjacent passages for carrying respective heat exchange fluids, a fixed generally circular outer track having transverse bearing surfaces and extending about said fluid passages, an open generally horizontal carrier extending across said fluid passages, a porous heat transfer media carried by said carrier and exposed to said passages, a generally circular inner track having transverse bearing surfaces and beingconnected to said carrier and extending about said carrier in complementary relation with said outer track, and trolley means interposed between said tracks to mount said carrier for rotative movement about an upright axis to convey said media between said passageways for sequential contact with respective fluids to effect heat exchange therebetween, said trolley means comprising a plurality of elongate angulate frame parts arranged in end-to-end relation along an annular path, strap means interconnecting adjacent ends of said frame parts, and rotary wheels carried by said frame parts in rolling engagement with said tracks to support the weight of said carrier and constrain the latter horizontally, said strap means being flexible to afford relative movement between frame parts to compensate for track tolerances.

2. A direct contact heat exchanger according to claim 1, said outer track comprising upwardly and inwardly facing bearing surfaces, said inner track comprising downwardly and outwardly facing bearing surfaces, and said running gear comprising wheels mounted for rotation about generally vertical and hori- 

1. A direct contact heat exchanger comprising generally upright conduit means defining a pair of adjacent passages for carrying respective heat exchange fluids, a fixed generally circular outer track having transverse bearing surfaces and extending about said fluid passages, an open generally horizontal carrier extending across said fluid passages, a porous heat transfer media carried by said carrier and exposed to said passages, a generally circular inner track having transverse bearing surfaces and being connected to said carrier and extending about said carrier in complementary relation with said outer track, and trolley means interposed between said tracks to mount said carrier for rotative movement about an upright axis to convey said media between said passageways for sequential contact with respective fluids to effect heat exchange therebetween, said trolley means comprising a plurality of elongate angulate frame parts arranged in end-toend relation along an annular path, strap means interconnecting adjacent ends of said frame parts, and rotary wheels carried by said frame parts in rolling engagement with said tracks to support the weight of said carrier and constrain the latter horizontally, said strap means being flexible to afford relative movement between frame parts to compensate for track tolerances.
 2. A direct contact heat exchanger according to claim 1, said outer track comprising upwardly and inwardly facing bearing surfaces, said inner track comprising downwardly and outwardly facing bearing surfaces, and said running gear comprising wheels mounted for rotation about generally vertical and horizontal axes for said rolling engagement.
 3. Fluid treatment apparatus according to claim 1, each frame part carrying at least two wheels rotatable about generally radially extending horizontal axes and at least one wheel rotatable about a longitudinally extending upright axis. 